Paul Dunne surges into contention at Joburg Open

The 22-year-old goes into the final day just three shots off the lead in South Africa

Paul Dunne of Ireland tees off on the 4th hole on the East Course during day three of the Joburg Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Paul Dunne of Ireland tees off on the 4th hole on the East Course during day three of the Joburg Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Paul Dunne followed a Friday 63 with a third round 68 to go into the final day two shots off the lead at the Joburg Open in South Africa.

After recording eight birdies and no bogeys on Frida, the Greystones player continued that scintillating form on the front nine on Saturday with a birdie at the first before consecutive birdies on the fifth, sixth and seventh.

However his climb up the leaderboard took a blow at the 11th with a double bogey six

But the 22-year-old was not fazed, answering back with birdies at the 14th and 15th.

READ MORE

A bogey on the 17th was recovered with a birdie on the last to sign for a 68 and sit on 13 under par, two shots behind joint-leaders Zander Lombard, Haydn Porteous and Anthony Wall.

40-year-old Wall had birdies on the fourth, ninth, 10th and 13th holes, and will head into Sunday’s final round level on 15 under par along with South African pair Lombard and Porteous.

Lombard had an even more eventful and productive day at the office. The Pretoria-based player, who turns 21 on Monday, posted nine birdies and two bogeys en route to a 65.

And Porteous, having started with an eagle at the par-five first, then ended his third round with two straight birdies to make it a three-way tie at the top after 54 holes.